Census of industries not conducted in 20 years – RMRDC

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council has observed that Nigeria’s industry and agriculture data is 20 years old.

The council made this observation in a report titled, ‘National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria’.

It said the age of the statistics led to limited access to data while compiling the report.

“The study experienced limited access to data because in the past 20 years, Nigeria has not conducted the National Census of Industries and Businesses and the National Agricultural Sample Census, which usually provides information on quantity and value of raw materials and products available locally, and identified under the Harmonised Systems Code of the United Nations,” the council noted.

The RMARDC said in designing a national strategy for Nigeria’s competitiveness in raw materials and products development, a compendium of imported raw materials and products was compiled.

“Imports of raw materials and products covered 97 broad categories of the UN double-digit commodity classification and were based on cost, insurance and freight for a period spanning between 2010 and 2015.

“Detailed components of the broad categories, including four and 10-digit classifications were also compiled,” it stated.

The council explained that the design of a national strategy for Nigeria’s competitiveness in raw materials and products development was an attempt by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to address the challenge of developing and implementing effective policies and strategies to diversify the economy, promote industrialisation and economic growth.

“The report contains a summary of findings from the study of the performance of industries, businesses and research institutions in the country,” it said.

The council noted that a strategy was conceptualised and designed to guide the process of driving Nigeria’s competitiveness in raw materials and products development with the ultimate aim of reducing over time, the import of raw materials and products that the country has comparative and competitive advantage to produce, and ensure economic recovery and growth.

The strategic framework, according to the RMRDC, proffers a number of recommendations focused mainly on the roles that government, working in partnership with the private sector, development partners and other stakeholders can play with respect to driving Nigeria’s competitiveness in raw materials and products development.

The study pointed out Nigeria’s high and unsustainable level of dependency on raw materials and products importation and recommended the development of an evidence-based strategy for government intervention to reverse the trend.

It stated, “Nigeria’s potential for production of a wide range of raw materials and products need revitalisation with appropriate stimulus targeted at commodity groups where the country has comparative and competitive advantage.

”Existing potential is being constrained by inadequate business infrastructure, especially poor power supply, weak bureaucratic institutions and corruption, among other factors that impinge on national competitiveness.”

It also stated, “The country’s potential includes human and natural resource endowment as well as good climatic conditions suitable for agricultural practices required to produce agro-raw materials and products.

“It is also blessed with abundant solid mineral deposits awaiting exploitation. Nigeria has huge market potential and its human capital ranks among the best in the world.”

The report noted however, that the current situation in some of the nation’s institutions reflected a lack of seriousness as far as the issues of competitiveness; innovation and productivity were concerned.

“The human resource potential of any nation is the most priceless factor in production, which should be considered as critical in local production efforts,” it added.

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